A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Eilat vs. Koh Tarutao for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Eilat or Koh Tarutao?

Eilat

Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.

Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.

Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.

Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, and The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Koh Tarutao, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tarutao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat is in Middle East and Koh Tarutao is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Koh Tarutao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tarutao and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat than you might in Koh Tarutao.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eilat Expensive? and Is Koh Tarutao Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao in the Summer?

Both Koh Tarutao and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Tarutao. In July, Eilat usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is a little warmer than Koh Tarutao in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao in the Autumn?

Both Koh Tarutao and Eilat during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round.

November to April is the dry season in Koh Tarutao. May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Eilat usually gets less rain in October than Koh Tarutao. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Eilat is around the same temperature as Koh Tarutao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tarutao averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Koh Tarutao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat year-round. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Eilat usually receives less rain than Koh Tarutao. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Eilat is generally much colder than Koh Tarutao. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Eilat or Koh Tarutao in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Koh Tarutao. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao throughout the year.

Also, November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. May and October in Koh Tarutao is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. Eilat usually gets less rain in April than Koh Tarutao. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Koh Tarutao receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Eilat is cooler than Koh Tarutao in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Koh Tarutao fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Koh Tarutao and Eilat